Boiler high and low water control and alarm system



W. O. MARTIN Nov. 15 1949 BOILER HIGH AND LOW WATER CONTROL AND ALARMSYSTEM 2, Sheets-Sheet l Fild July 30, 1945 Nov. 15, 1949 w. o. MARTIN2,487,933

BOILER HIGH AND LOW WATER CONTROL AND ALARM SYSTEM Filed July so, 1945 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Z7 4 r-l "6 5 4 54 a 51mg 33 1 I Zjfi INVENTOR. Wz/Ziam 0fifczrzfayz Patented Nov. 15, 1949 BOILER HIGH AND LDW WATER; CON TROD iAND ALA'RM SYSTEM/Lil I William..0. Marlin;Fortv Smith, Arki, assigri'orto I Williamv 0. Maftinflna, FortSmith, Arkg'a corporation of AikarisasApplicationzJuly. 30,1945, Serial' No; 607,861

12 (llaiinsz'iwl. 303 1) 1 My invention relatesato a system especiallyintended for locomotive --steam:-boilers whereby the. is. continuedoperation-of the locomotive fiunder .cera i tain undesirable andSGI'iQUSwCOIl-ditiOH-S auto-M matically will be prevented 7-1 andserious conseee, '5 quences' avoided; a

In the operationeof steamfboilers'and espea ciallyii'n the .operatiomofsteamelocomotive boilers'if the waters IBVBItiS carried too high, per-Mmitting it' to -enter-;.the:.-steam.: lines,-. the engine 110 cylindersand other steam operated-mechanisms, h.- it causes damage-etc the;equipment, produces. hazardous, inefiicient and .-expensive conditions.which, particularly: in locomotive. operation, ipro- A ducetdelaysandrtie-ups intrafiic; 1

Onesobjeci: of my invention is the provisiontofmeans wherebyssuchexcessive waterconditions M will be considered inuitsapplicationtoualocdmo-a tivelboilerih All locomotiveiboil'erslare ,.providedfwithf'vfen .i tically. I'spaced gauge. ..cocks for determining the l. jwater-level in the "boiler by periodically opening}. the cooks Lthe'igauge.v cocks either being ..directly.' attachedfltotheuboilerlheadco'r' to a'waterclcol-J nimn. with'which some.stea'mulocomotives are providedl.

In the particular embodimentbf the invention illustrated in Figiire .1(showing of, th'eflocdmotiveiboiler being omitted) one form of my:invention is. shown applied to. a well known type. a. of waterrcolumnemployeduori locomotive boilers, 5 a portion oftheiwater: column beingshovvnvat r;

I 5; the usual manually operated gauge cocks beingv omitted;TheTuppen-andlower. ends of theft will-be rectified and the "water. intheeboiler-au-c Water columnare connected;respectivelwwithh tomaticallylowered-to the proper,highuwatene th st spac nde h wat ra spa f; levelthrough operation, t boilerfiblowrofinlo the hoilenito 'provide .a Waterllevelzisimilarito cocks during certain-predeterminedcor properps thatn; t q r- A conditions; the-blowV-off. operationxbeing aumemventlon-imvolves*a' float "column matically; discontinuedwhenthewater'tin then (shown adjacent the vv Q f-- nf l boiler recedes tothevproper leveL. valveduconnect ons 11,18 reispectlvely lbetweenn Thentoo, either duento some 'mechanicaliail thetop and qm =-fl ?--Q n:' and,ure'rzor -throughr negligence theawater'- in the "upper W dz fw i Pboilertis permitted to drop to a level :where'an thefioatjcplumn -qinsufficient quantity; :of waterefor safezoperation to Z Fd -Q a1 plahghhtlyabove the exists, which, Without Warning; oftenrresults in "f r im t f wat columnto boilerjexplosicns causing deathfandwdamagewm (,0plane slightly beneath the -mlmmumlow water Another object ofmyxinventionvcontemplates 3 t h b 1 l6 d means wherebyzavwarm'ng alarmor signahwill \c'am or c9 umn 1s? prom e be given when the water.reachesi'a preselected-i n g g qtii fiiq% V ,pr ov1 e .Wl -a.su1 a e meac. n..or.mag@ lowstage Whereadd1t1onal.water should be 1n-.. 7 w ..ritroducedand in the event the'signal is not" pet-attractor 9mmzmwhlcmmayhe att heeded a the low Wafer lvelyjrectifieacon f toextendvmto shdeways 29% thereby mainta1n-..

""jj ing'the float in proper slidi'riglpositiorilwith.theii. tmuedtoperat uon 05 the boiif fip ig h magnetattractort. disposed in closerelation ggg g gx gfi gzz i gg i igfzfigi v with theinner sides of thecharhberl-or column I6,"h'c'h 1 tt f tagesinherent in the invention willall bereadily m z 1 52132515 a: $1 252: 333; 233:? comprehended from thedetaileddescription 'of ablehommagneti 'metaly c l l gs-Whereimm.Arrangedadjacent theufloatbolumn l6,'c'oin-" Figure 1 lllustratesaportwn Ofa w t -ff cident With Jtheplanes of thejusualTgaugei cocks .ei S1de e1eVat1 n P' an a -fl and hence coincident with the 'maximumhighQ; in vertical section with oertam elements 1n waterIeVeLintermediate' or waterjrepleni'shin'g tionalelevation and other-e1ementswith 'thei-r electrical connections diagrammaticallyillustrated.

Figure 2 is adiagrammaticview of a"modifica- '""50 For purposes ofexemplification the invention'i level, and the hiinimum'lowiorcritical-Water levelf in thejboiler,v are ajnumbe'ri of verticallyspaced electric current controlling 'switche'sli, 22,andi23t; eachprovided with a ipivct'all'y mounted terminal or springcontact'jmember'i'z l"liaving alpinifi 'X' tending tothe exterior of thebox'or casing'ofth'ejf switch and into the path of ea'chpivotallymount-" ed lever J26. i'Thefree end of each lever- 26 provided'wnhamagnet zla'r'rangedinblose proX-T imity to the column 16; with themagnet 21 of switch 2! disposed in a plane coincident with the highestpoint of the maximum high water level in the boiler; the magnet ofswitch 22 disposed in a plane of the intermediate water level where itis desired to provide a signal to warn the operator or engine crew thatthe water in the boiler has receded to a point where it should bereplenished; while the magnet 2! of switch 23 is arranged at apredetermined plane beneath that of switch 22, namely coincident withthe minimum water level where, in the event of failure to replenish thewater in the boiler, further operation of the boiler or travel of thelocomotive is to be prevented so as to avoid boiler explosions. Themagnet carrying levers are returned to normal position by the springcontacts 24 when the float-carried magnet attractor moves out of thezone of the respective magnets 21.

Each switch 2|, 22 and 23 also is provided with a terminal 28; theswitches normally being in open. position and all are electricallyconnected with a suitable source of electric current supply, namely withthe usual turbo-generator with which locomotives are generally providedand which is indicated at 29. The spring contacts 24 are electricallyconnected with the generator 29 by the lead line 38 through the mediumof a manually operated control switch 3|. The terminal 28 of switch 2|is electrically connected with a pair of solenoid operated blow-oifcocks or valves (located at opposite sides of the locomotive)schematically indicated at 32, 32 by lead line 33 and the solenoidvalves in turn are electrically connected with the generator 29 by wire34. If the water in the boiler rises above the maximum high water level,the water in the float column I8 will likewise rise and move float l9toward the top where the upper magnet attractor fin 28 will be disposedin the magnetic zone of the magnet 2'! of switch 2|, causing the looselymounted magnet carrying lever 26 to move toward the float column, whichin turn forces the lower end of spring contact 24 (through the medium ofpin into contact with switch terminal 28. With spring contact 24 incontact with terminal 28, the electrical circuit will be closed,energizing the solenoid valves (indicated at 32) causing the blow-ofivalves to open and thereby blow oi the excess water in the boiler. Asthe water level in the boiler and in the float column recedes, the float.l9 with the magnet attractor fins will drop out of the magnetic zone ofmagnet 2'! and permit the magnet lever 26 and spring switch 24 to swingback to normal position thereby opening the circuit through the solenoidvalves and permit the blow-off cocks to close.

The terminal 28 of switch 22 is electrically connected by wire 35 withlead line 34 through the medium of the electric signal light and hell oralarm elements generally indicated, respectively, at36 and 31.

As the water in the boiler and in the float column recedes to a levelwhere it should be replenished so as not to endanger the boiler, namelyinto the plane of magnet 21 of switch 22, float l9 will drop and presentits magnet attractor fin or flange 28 in the magnetic field immediatelyopposite magnet 21 of switch 22. This will cause the magnet 21 and thefree end of its lever 26 to move toward column I6, thereby, through themedium of pin 25, move the free end of spring contact 24 into contactwith terminal point 28 of switch 22, closing the circuit through thesignal and alarm sounding elements 36, 37, thereby warn the loco- 4motive crew that the water in the boiler should be replenished.

In railroad practice it is desirable that the water level in the boilershould not be allowed to drop beneath a plane three inches above thehighest point of the crown sheet of the boiler.

If, through some mechanical failure or negligence of the engine crew,the water in the boiler is not replenished when the alarm is sounded, Ihave devised means whereby further operation or travel of the locomotivewill be prevented before the water level in the boiler falls to theplane of the crown sheet of the boiler where the introduction of coldwater would result in boiler explosion. I have therefore provided switch23 with its magnet 21 arranged in the plane of at least an inch and ahalf of water, in height, above the crown sheet, so that when the magnetfin or attractor 20 of float 19 reaches the level of the magnet 21 ofswitch 23, the magnet and its lever 26 will be drawn toward the floatcolumn [6, forcing the spring contact 24 (through the medium of pin '25)into contact with contact point 28, closing the circuit through asolenoid valve 38 arranged in a connection 39 between the usualcompressed air supply tank indicated at 48 and a cylinder 4| having areduced extension connected into the brake air line or pipe 42 of thetender or cab, so as to normally permit the air to pass to therespective air brake cylinders of the brake system.

The cylinder 45 is provided with a piston 43 Whose stem or rod isconnected with a slide valve 43 arranged in the reduced extension of thecylinder connected into the air line 42. The slide valve 43 is ofdimensions smaller than the interinal dimensions of the cylinderextension, as shown; having at itsbottom comparatively nonair passagerelation at its'bottom with the cylinder extension4l while permittingfree flow of air thereabout or above. The valve 43 on its bottom isprovided with an enlarged cavity 43* which normally communicates with anexhaust port or pipe 44 leading to atmosphere; the cavity 43", however,being of size suflicient to establish communication between the main airpipe section 42 and the exhaust 44 when the piston-valve has been movedtoward the right in the exemplification shown in Figure 1.

The solenoid valve 38 is connected with contact point 28 of switch 23 bywire 45 and solenoid valve 38 is electrically connected with lead line34 (connected with generator 29) by lead wire 46, so that, when switchlever 24 engages contact point 28, the circuit through solenoid-valve 38will be closed, the solenoid energized and its valve moved to openposition. This allows air from air tank 40 to enter cylinder 4|, andprovide a pressure in the cylinder 4| in excess of the pressure in theair line 42, thereby forcing the piston 43 with its valve 43 toward theright in Figure 1. This movement will shut oif flow of air from air pipe42 into air pipe section 42*, allowing the air in section 42 to escapethrough the registering cavity 43* into discharge port or pipe 44; thereduction of air pressure in air line 42 below that Ofthe'air brakecylinder induces application of the brakes to the wheels of thelocomotive, tender and/or cars, and thus prevents further properoperation of the locomotive.

In the'particular exemplification I have shown and described my improvedmeans in connection with a water column'of the type at present employedbut, in the event'no water column is employed on the boiler, my improvedfloat column amass 'tomatjc control means of the charactewshown anddescribed-in my pendingfapplication-erial No.*5 82,-3,39; filed March ll19450 The-system shown in Figure 2involvesthe float colurnnJB, with :itstop; and bottom connections i! and, !'8, float IS with magnet. attractorZUTQT'.

t actmsith m ne s 2. ur o h rive eralfi 0i the e p ct e. sw t h bo s ohouse inesfi 22%:a c ..23,..ada tcd, 2 ac u t t e sp in tact. blad s 24...The.hous n io,f, he au omatic r lm ans sc ematic l cdicat dat 4] isprovided with mechanism described in myapplie, cation Serial No.582,339. and adaptedtocontrol electric circuits of the blowwfi cocks or;solenoid valves when the locomotivefls travelling. at or above apreselected speed-and -has traveled a prer determined distance; theparticularpircuitcon d. i t r en e bodiment e h t o the so e d .CQ lT-0lQd..hlW.-.0fi'- cocks w ch e schematically'indicated at; 3,2, 32. a v

The manually o erated main.swit hztl s nor..;: mally in cl s d posiionasi hpwn.whmthe-svstem; is in use. With switch 3|..in; c1os ed;,position, cur:- rent flows fromgenerator..29,.through;switch 31, .3line A8 to spring bladei.24,;:n0rmall-y,in contact... with .contactpoint 549 of; switch box 22 ,'.through;.= line 5!) which leadslto themaster switch (at "51.) of the automatic control means within -housing4?. -When the master switch is closed twhichg as described in mycopendingapplicationSerial NO;'-- 582,339, occurs" as soon-as thelocomotive travels A0 at or above -apredetermined-speed), the-currentpasses through-line 52-,-wire ;53,throughswitcheslocated within housingfllandnorma-l-ly controlled by mechanism operatively effectivewhenthe-locomotive travels at or above-the'predeter---- mined speed forwhichthe automatic mechanism;- withinhousing'fl has been geared andwhichis designed to periodically operate the blow-off cocks during suchspeedand a? preselectcddistanceapart. In the event thewater inthejboil'er'reachestoo high a level for'proper locomotive operation, Iprovide the magnet controlled switch:21. for operating at least one of;thehloweoff cocks. j. The" circuit through switch box 2l ,,jw henattractor- J55 float ,i 9, has attra t d .thema et 2. and. force springblade 24 into contactwith contact point; 28, is as follows; Fromgenerator 29, through u switch 3|, line 48, through SWitC h12 2 "(fWhEnin the. normal position shown), line 50, through to master switch of theautomati,c 'control means located in housingA'l, throughjine 52, line54,.;. through magnet controlledswitch' zl (nowin closed position) .toline. 55, ,preferablyfprovided with aconventionaltypeof, delay? switchindi- 6 cated at 55*, thence through oneor both .of the blow-off ,cockso e i s-indicated1st 3 2 31 and backto the generatorlflhthh The.circuit just. descriheclisi idaptedjo open... at least one. of the blowofi cocks .ior. the purpose 0 of .discharging..the excess water in.theqhoilem the com et on. o thecir uit. hwe enbeine 9 led iby .th .rnster sw tch-19 thQI? L tQm, /G101Y mechangisrn'inhousing, 41; in-orderthat;the blow; ofi operation may not take place at inopportune 76moments;'z: namely.; while theriocomotiyeris. in :a' station; gthiSlcircuit howeuer, yepassinge the tripper mechanism':withirirhousingnfl:employed i for-thezperiodicagl blo softorieratiohsnn.

When the systemvis provided'lwithtthezautoeaa. matic: control mechanismof lmyaapplication" .Se-j rial No. 58232.9, switch pox-22s.i's=provided;with a secondalcontactapointa.56:in order-into provideir anLa-larm1circuit rwhenrt-he water.level. drops cto l a pointwhereaadditionalywaten shouldbe inj ected=. 2

into the boiler-at which time the blow;-.,off.icir-. cuits :should :bedisrupted: ;When the water level;

is such .that :attractorefioat; 19 :comes; into .the; .1 zone-of,magnet. 2-1. oi-switch 22 ;Xmagnet; 21 withizx; its leverwill swing,toward the .float 1column.,-.l6,.:.i thereby forcingspring: b1ade.;. 24toward contactr point 5%, thereby; establishing-rarcircuit from line.:1. 48 throughzblade-Zll, contact-56, line 51, :through; alarm 36, :backto generator;29;';thus-notifying;1 the; engine .crew. that; thegwater.shouldtbe' replem; x;- ished: i

In 'th-ezeventvthei engine crew, for any: reason; neglects to-.replenish;the.. water, allowing it to recede to a dangerous level,namel-ycwherezattractorefioat. 1.9 drops to the zonerof magnet 2"!- diswitchbox 23,.magnet2'l. with its lever wilLbetilted toward column .16,lforcingl springtbladea- 24 toward contact point l28, closing a circuitfrom line A8, line 48 through switch .23., ,line' 45 \(Kpref r erablyprovided with a well-known .type:of-delay---s switch 55 throughthezsolenoid valve 38, :01. airpressurerpipe 39, and through line-.46.to -line 34 connected with the generator 29.

The circuit: just described- {which-is *independ-- A entof theautomaticmechanism) -c0ntl01's the: operation :of the air :operated:piston-valve 43, 13 for inducing brake-application and is similar tothat shown. in Figure-1 land heretofore described-. i

Theiicircuitsof the high water switch 21 and of the-'switchi 23-are,--=as stated, preferablypro--- videdr'with -delayswitches 55 and-45 Delayswitch 55 is intended to delay the high water i blow-oiloperationawhenthe water lever is slight- 1y below. thedestructive highleyel butdue to swaying of the locomotive the attractor-float ismomentarily forced into the zoneof the'mag-net of switch 2!, and thendrops away from-themagnetthe=circuit, however, having- .been closedfor abrief :period; By employing "a=de1ay"-sWitch,

the flow of current'to the blow-off cock solenoids will be retarded andoperation oftheblow-ofi cocksprevented. Delay switch 45 retards-cur rentflow of the mechanism controlled by so1e-' noid valve 38,i0r'example;1delaying brake ap-- .plicatiomor other operation, so as notto sud-5 denl-y interfere with thefeed waterpumpoperation andgive theengine crew-an opportunity torectify the low water condition.

In Figure 31 schematically illustrate another modification of myimproved system adapted to the=useof-contact points or electrodesinstead of the magnet controlled switches and hence 'elimi-'natingthe-use ofaseparate float columns 1 The systeminvolves the sourceof current supply or generator indicated at 29, the compressed The pairof electrodes 58 is positioned in a plane slightly above the properoperating level of the water in the boiler, namely in a plane beneathwhich it is advisable for proper operation to maintain the water level.

The pair of electrodes 59 is arranged in a plane a predetermineddistance, say three inches, above the highest point of the crown sheetof the firebox of the locomotive boiler, below which level the watershould not be allowed to drop but should be replenished.

The pair of electrodes 60 is arranged preferably midway between theplane of electrodes 59 and the high point of the crownsheetsay an inchand a half above the plane of the crownsheet high pointand theseelectrodes 60 come into play in the event of failure on the part of theengine-crew to replenish the boiler water when the warning has beengiven through the medium of electrodes 59; electrodes 60 being adaptedto provide a circuit, whereby operations will be performed which willinterfere with further operation of the locomotive, as will hereinafterbe described.

In view of the nature of the circuits established or affected by therespective pairs of electrodes, namely by the water in the column l5,not being of sufficient strength to operate the solenoids employed, Iprovide the different electrode circuits with relays for establishingsecondary or stronger circuits.

The main supply line from the generator 29 is provided with the manuallyoperated switch 3|, shown in normal closed position for placing thesystem in operative condition. The primary circult of the upper pair ofelectrodes '58 involves line 6|, both electrodes 58 (when submerged),line 62, coil of relay 53 and line 64 to generator 29. This circuit(when the water in column |5 reaches electrodes 58) operates relay 63,introducing thesecondary or stronger circuit through line 65 (comingfrom manual switch 3|), through relay 63 to line 66 (preferably providedwith a conventional delay switch indicated at El) connected with thesolenoids of the blow-off cocks, indicated at 32, 32 and through line 63leading to the generator 29.

The circuit of the intermediate or second set of electrodes 59 involvesline 59, electrodes 59, line 10, relay 1|, line 12, to generator 29.Relay II is normally energized against its spring to keep it open. Whenthe water level in the column |5 drops below one or both of saidelectrodes, the normal energizing circuit of the relay H is broken andallows its spring to close the relay and provide a circuit through line13, relay 7|, through the alarm and/r signal means 36, 37, and line 14to generator 29.

The circuit of the lowermost set of electrodes involves line 75, comingfrom manual switch 3|, electrodes 60, line 16, coil of relay I!(normally energized to hold the relay open against its spring), throughline 18 to generator 29. When the water level in the column l dropsbelow one or both of said electrodes 60 the normal energizing circuit ofrelay TI is broken, allowing its spring to close the relay and establisha circuit through line 19 (coming from manual switch 3|), relay 11, line80, preferably provided with a delay switch BI and through thesolenoid-valve 38 in the air connection 39 leading from the compressedair supply M] for operating the pistonvalve structure shown in Figure 1,whereby the air fiow'through the air brake line is disrupted and brakeapplication is obtained.

I prefer to employ the delay switches hereto-- fore mentioned in orderto slightly delay the circuits in order to prevent too rapid brakeapplication and/or locomotive operation so as not to interfere, forexample with feed water pump operation which may at that time exist, andalso afford the engine crew opportunity to give attention to the alarmor signal indicating a low water level in the boiler.

The modification shown in Figure 3 may, when desired, be provided withthe speed operated control mechanism or switch indicated at 41 in Figure2 (controlled by the running gear of the locomotive) arranged in theblow-ofi cock circuit whereby the circuit of one and/or both of theblow-off cocks may not become effective until the locomotive istraveling at or above a predetermined speed so as to prevent blow-01foperations at inopportune moments, as for example while in a railroadstation or while laboring under a heavy load or climbing a grade.

I have described the normal operations of the system and itsmodifications, namely with the manually operated switch 3| in eachmodification in closed position to provide the various circuits asheretofore described.

In the event switch 3|, accidently or otherwise, has been shifted toopen position, namely to the left or dotted line position in therespective figures, a circuit through the signal and/or alarm mechanismstill will be maintained.

The system as shown and described is believed to be the simplestembodiment of the invention, but structural modifications may bepossible without, however, departing from the spirit of my invention asdefined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a boiler high and low water control and alarm system, thecombination of a locomotive provided with solenoid operated blow-offcocks, a compressed air supply, an air brake line and electric currentsupply, a water column arranged in communication with the boiler so thewater levels will correspond; three sets of electric circuit controllingelements associated with said water column, vertically spaced tocorrespond with preselected boiler Water levels and adapted to beaffected thereby to control separate circuits, said elements havingelectrical relation with the current supply; a piston controlled valveoperatively intermediate the air supply and the air line; a solenoidoperated valve in the connection between the air supply and said pistoncontrolled valve; and signal means; the upper set of elements beingadapted to establish a circuit for the solenoid operated blow-off cocksto provide blowoff operations when the water level in the boiler andwater column rises to the level of said upper set of elements; thesecond or intermediate set of elements being adapted to effect a circuitfor actuating said signal means when the water level recedes to thelevel of said second set; while the third or lower set of elements isadapted to efiect a circuit for said solenoid operated valve when thewater level drops to the level of said set, thereby actuating the pistoncontrolled valve and inducing brake application.

2. In a system of the character described for locomotive boilers, afloat holding column of non magnetic material having fluid connectionswith the boiler so as to provide fluid levels in keeping with those inthe boiler, the float being provided with magnet attracting means;electric circuit switches arranged adjacent said column at preselectedvertical distances apart; boiler blow-oil brak'eiair. line pressurereduced and brake'application provided when the boiler water recedes to"a minimum level.

3. In a'system of the -characteri described the combination of alocomotive provided with sole-J .14 'noidcontrolled' blow-offxcocks, airbrake line'and 1 electric' currentssupplmasolenoid controlled means forcontrolling the'iairflo'w in the air brake line;

: signal providing means; 1 and; electric"v circuit controlling elementsarranged invvertical spaced re: lation at elevations" corresponding:with presele'cted boiler i Wate -i levels; electrically connected withsaid current supply andadapted to control separate circuits}. theuppermost elements establishing a circuit forithe blow-off cocksolenoidsto thereby open theblow-off cocks when the boil- 'er' waterlevel-corresponds with the elevation of said upper elem'e'nts; aicircuitfor said alarm -meansisprovided and: signals produced'when the boilerwater levelrecedes to that of "the interme diateelem'entsjWhile-a*circuit"for said solenoid controlled means isestablished when the boiler -water level-drops-- to the level of thelowermost elements, thereby actuatingi said meanareducing the pressurein said-airline and providingbr'ake application.

a 4. In a system of the characterfidescribedg the combination of a'locomotive:provided with an electric currentsupply, signal providingmeans, solenoid controlled blow-ofi cocks, an' air supply and airbrakeline {solenoid 'c'ontrolled means operatively intermediate the-airsupply and the air -brake line for affecting: the pressure in sai'd airbrake 1ine;fa float column arranged in communi- 'cation' with the boilerso the water level in the columnwill correspond. with that inthe'boiler; a

: plurality of switches electrically 'conriected with the currentsupply, with one switchadapted to control the current to said blovv'offcock solenoids to provide ablow' off operation, "a second switchadapted to control'the current for said sig'na'llpro- 'viding means to'provideasignalf while a third switch is' adapted to control the-currenttos'aid solenoid 'controlled'm'eans tothereby'reduce the pressure in theairline-and provide brake application; movably mounted magnet's -'forseparately operating" said switches, said magnets "being verrespondwith"prese1ectedboiler water levels; and a magnet attracting floatarranged in tlie float column adapted toattract each magnet and operateits respective switchvwhenvthe float reaches the respective levels ofsaid magnets.

5. In a" systemas' 'defind invclair'n 2,-With the blow-off cockoperating circuitinvolvinga separate speed controlled-switchoperable bythe speed of travel of the locomotive whereby the blow-off cocksolenoidcircuit becomes periodicallyie'stab- "1 ."lished" when "the locomotiveis movingat. or'above ya preselected'sp'eed.

6. A'high'and'lowwater-control and alarm system comprising thecombination of a locomotive provided with a compressed air supply, anelectric cu rent supp y. an bra e l n lenoi QP F- 2:10 ..ated blow-01fcocks, and a water column arranged in communicationwith thelocomotive'jboiler so the" water. levelsfwill correspond;-e1ectrically0p- "."e'r'ated signal means; separate'sets of electriccir- 5";cuit ;controlling elementsja'ssociated with the Water columnarranged at preselected, levels and adapted to be affected by the Waterlevel in-the column, said elements being separately connected .with thecurrent supply and each connection in- 10 eluding .a relay; solenoidcontrolled means oper- Tatively intermediate the airsupply andthe air.brake line; one'set of.said elements and its asso- .ciated'relay beingadapted to'establish a circuit ZLthrough a blow-01f cock solenoid andproduce blow..-'ofi operation when the water in said column ,reachessaid set of elements, a second set.of"ele- ..nients andrits associated.relay beingadapted to ..establish a circuit. to operate said signalmeans when the waterin said column recedesto said ..second setv ofelements, while a third set of. ele- .-amentswith itsassociatedrelay-isladapted. to esftablish acircuitthrough said solenoid controlledmeans Whenathe. water .in said columnfalls to a .lnylevel .adjacentsaidthird. .set. of. elementsand zfihcausel said 7 means .to. operate...and. induce brake .rapplyingoperation.

1. A, high .and .lowlwater control. and alarm systemcomprising..thecombination.of alocomo- .wtive provided-with acompressedair supply an 3.9.. electriccurrent supp yranair.-br.ake.line, solenoid operatedblowe oft .cocks, and a Water column,arwuranged. .incommunication with the. locomotive boiler so the water.levelsowill correspond; ..elec- =trically. .operatedlsignal ..means rseparate .sets of 5 lelectricz .circuitncontrollingl elements..associated with. the vwater .column arranged .at. .-,preselected l:levels... and adapted .to..be affected.- by .thewater 5. lever in- :the.'.column, lsaid- .elements... being. connected. .with the 1. current.supply; ..solenoidn .conl irltrolled means. 1 operatively intermediatelthe. air lsu'pplynand. said, air. .brake. line one .set of. said aelementsbeingadapted to.estab1ish a..circuit=for a operating: a..bloW-'ofi. cock when thewater in. said ..columna reaches. said -set, ofelements; aaspeed 5.1 controlled switch adapted to. close LsaidJbloW.-off W cock circuit..when the locomotive -=travels at or ,lrabove,a.-predetermined speed,..a second--.set of said elements beingadaptedxtoprovidea circuit P .fonoperating said signal-Hmeans .whenethe-.water '35 in-said column. falls .belowlsaid .secondset, -.while aacthird" set ofelements isv adapted .-to.. provide a circuit for saidsolenoid rcontrolled ..means. when .l-'.the. water. in said-columnfallslbelow saidrthird set of ..elements; .causingsaid means to operate51, and tdinduce brake applying operation.

. .8. A vh-igh. and low. watercontrol-system.com-

prising thecombination of .a locomotiveprovided witharcompressed. airsupply, an. electric current supply, an .air brake line,solenoidloperated blowgoff. cocks, and a float, column, arrangedin com-..emunication with .the .locomotive. boiler so the water. levels,rwillr.correspond;, electrically. operated .signalumeans; solenoidcontrolled .means ,operatively intermediate .the 7 air supply and' saidairlbrake 1ine.for afiecting the pressure.in;the

latter; a plurality of switches electricallyconnected with the currentsupply, each switch being controlled. by a movably mounted,magnet .ar-,iranged adjacent the float column at a preselected 0' elevationcorrelated with a predetermined water J zlevel in.the'column and boiler;amag'net attract- "in'gfloat in's'aid'column adapted to attractthemagnets and operate their respective switches when the float reaches thepreselected water levels, one of said switches establishing a circuitfor operating a blow-01f cock, a second switch establishing a circuitfor said signal means and a third switch establishing a circuit forproviding brake application; and a speed controlled switch, adapted toclose a blow-01f cock circuit when the locomotive travels at or above apredetermined speed.

9. A system of the character described for controlling the operation ofa locomotive comprising the combination of a locomotive boiler providedwith a water column in communication therewith to indicate the waterlevel in the boiler, a compressed air supply, a brake air line, a sourceof electric current, blow-off cocks and signal means; an air operatedpiston-valve operatively connected intermediate the compressed airsupply and the air line adapted to afiect the pressure in the air lineand thereby effect brake application; solenoids for controlling theblowofi cocks; a solenoid-valve for controlling the connection betweenthe compressed air supply and the air line; circuit providing elementsassociated with the water column vertically spaced at preselected levelsand adapted to be afiected by a predetermined water levels; an electriccircuit intermediate the source of electric current, the uppermost setof circuit providing elements and the blow-off cock solenoids adapted toeffect a circuit for operating the blow-off cocks when the water levelin the column reaches said set of elements; an electric circuitintermediate the second set of circuit providing elements, said signalmeans and the source of electric current adapted to efiect a circuit foroperating the signal means when the water level in the column recedes toa preselected level; an electric circuit intermediate the source ofelectric current, the lowermost set of circuit providing elements andsaid last mentioned solenoid-valve adapted to efiect a circuit for saidsolenoid-valve when the water level in the column drops to a preselectedlevel and thereby operate said piston-valve and provide brakeapplication; and a speed controlled switch in the blow-01f cock circuitoperatively associated with the running gear of the locomotive wherebythe blow-off circuit is maintained open until the locomotive travels ator above a predetermined speed.

10l The combination with a locomotive provided with blow-01f cocks, acompressed air supply, air brake line and a source of electrical energy;an alarm and/or signal mechanism; electric circuits intermediate thesource of electrical energy and the blow-off cock operating means,between said energy and said alarm-signal mechanism and between saidenergy and the air brake line; a water column disposed at the rear endof the locomotive and having communication at top and bottom with thewater holding portion of the locomotive boiler and provided atpreselected vertical distances apart with electric circuit controllingelements operative by the water levels in said water column whereby thedifferent circuits are controlled by predetermined levels of the waterin the locomotive boiler and the blow-off cocks operated when the waterlevel exceeds a preselected level and the alarm-signal mechanismactuated when the boiler water level recedes to a predetermined level;and electrically controlled means operatively intermediate the airsupply and the air line, operable when said circuit is 12 established bya preselected low water level whereby communication with the air supplyis established, said means operated and the pressure in the air brakeline reduced and brake application obtained when the boiler water levelreaches a preselected low water level.

11. In a system of the character described for locomotive boilersprovided with an alarm mechanism, a compressed air supply, an electriccurrent supply, an air brake line, and means adapted to be operated bysaid air supply for disrupting the air flow in the airline; a chamberhaving fluid connections with the boiler so as to provide fluid levelsin keeping with those in the boiler, normally open electric circuitsbetween the current supply, said alarm mechanism and said means; andmeans associated with said chamber at vertically spaced pointscoincident with a preselected fluid level in said chamber and adapted tobe successively affected when the fluid in said chamber recedes to saidpreselected levels whereby the circuit of said alarm mechanism will beclosed and a signal or alarm given, and upon further recession of thewater level the circuit of said first mentioned means will'be closed andbraking operation obtained.

12. In a system of the character described, the combination of alocomotive with air brakes, a source of electrical energy, and a watercolumn provided with electric elements operative when the water reachesa predetermined low level in the column; an elongated casing, one endwhereof intersects the air brake line and normally has the air passthrough said end of the casing, said end of the casing adjacent the airline connecnections having an air vent, a slide valve in said end of thecasing and of smaller dimensions than the dimensions of said casing endand formed to disrupt the flow through the air line and to establishcommunication between one end of the air line and said air vent when theslide valve is shifted from normal position; a piston arranged in theopposite end of said casing and operatively connected with said slidevalve; an air supply having connection with the piston end of saidcasing; and a normally closed solenoid operated valve in said air supplyconnection with said casing adapted to be actuated when the electricelements are affected by the low Water level in said water column,whereby said solenoid operated valve is opened, air from said air supplyadmitted to the casing thereby shifting said piston and said slidevalve, permitting air in said air line to vent to atmosphere and therebyinduce brake application; said solenoid controlled valve automaticallyclosing and shutting off the air supply to said piston and permit thepiston with the slide valve to return to normal position when the waterlevel in the water column rises above said electric elements.

WILLIAM O. MARTIN REFERENCES CITED The following references are ofrecord in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Gunderson May 12, 1942

